Meet Travis, a UQ medical student

My main motivation to study medicine was the challenge, the science and the people.

I studied a Bachelor of Science as my undergrad degree and loved having the freedom to explore my science interests as well as focusing on medical science.

In my first year of the medical program, I completed an “observership” on the Sunshine Coast. Here I had the opportunity to observe and learn from GP’s, Radiologists, Pathologists, Geriatricians and Orthopaedic surgeons. It was great to not only observe the specialists doing what they do best, but also to see the logistical side of working as a medical professional.

My most valuable experience so far is the one I’m having right now - undertaking my extended placement in Theodore. It is an incredible opportunity for anyone considering rural medicine as a career. Seeing my teacher Dr Bruce Chater get called in to the hospital on a weekend, scrub up and insert a chest drain while wearing a pair of sandals was just amazing. Not to mention life in the bush is second to none.

If I could give one piece of advice to first year students it would be that studying medicine is a lifelong endeavour. Pace yourself and don’t let it become your life.

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